A former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet has advised the immediate past Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio to withdraw from the Senate race or face defeat at the polls next year.
Etiebet, who gave the advice during the weekend while speaking with journalists noted that it is not the turn of Akpabio’s region in Akwa-Ibom State to produce the candidate for the seat.
He stated further that should Akpabio insist and contest the election, he would be disgraced at the polls because the people won’t vote for him.
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He, therefore, called on Akpabio to concede the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Retd).
Etiebet said:
“Since 1960, Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency has gone to Senate three times- Akaninyene Ukpanah, Donald Etiebet and Bob Ekarika whereas Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has gone five times – with Akpabio’s family twice in Nsima Akpabio and Godswill Akpabio whereas Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency has not gone even once.”
“The four Federal Constituencies of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara, Ini/Ikono, Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika, make up Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District and it is the considered opinion of all peace-loving people of Annang land that “Brother dey chop, brother no chop” is not good.”
“And that this time around the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency which has not gone to the senate since 1960 should be given the ticket.”
Etiebet argued further that even the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) gave its ticket to support the ‘marginalized’ zone in the spirit of fairness.
“In the PDP Senator Christopher Ekpenyong from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has stepped down for Emmanuel Enoidem from Etim Ekpo and Abak Federal Constituency.
“It is therefore natural justice that Godswill Akpabio who has even gone to the Senate once should step down for DIG Ekpoudom (Retd),” he stressed.
